On Monday, a statement from the Pakistan Champions confirmed their non-participation, owing to what transpired between their players and the Indian team last season. A cricket tournament involving teams from India and Pakistan seldom remains devoid of drama. As the third season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) started, suspense continued to surround the participation of the Pakistan Champions. As negotiations stretched between the team’s owner, the organisers, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it became increasingly unlikely that the tournament would feature the men from across the border.
Now, a report in Cricinfo has claimed that the Pakistan Champions were keen to participate in the tournament and had also formally requested the PCB to reconsider its decision not to issue the players with NoCs. However, the negotiations fell flat.
“Pakistan Champions owner Kamil Khan had formally requested the PCB to reconsider its decision and remained engaged in discussions regarding the team’s participation. We respect the PCB’s authority and its decision, whilst naturally being disappointed that our players will not have the opportunity to represent the Pakistan Champions at this global gathering of cricketing legends. We sincerely thank our players, supporters, and fans for their patience, understanding, and continued support,” the Cricinfo report stated.
As a result, the Pakistan team decided to withdraw from the tournament.
Later in the evening, the Pakistan Champions said in a statement: “Pakistan Champions regret to confirm that the team will not be able to participate in the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL), following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to uphold its refusal to issue the required NOCs. “However, we cannot allow our players to be part of events where the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermines the very essence of sportsmanship and the gentleman’s game,” the board had further said last year as it issued a blanket ban over future participation.
